Connecticut has infrequent, usually small earthquakes typical of the stable eastern US, which can still be widely felt due to hard bedrock.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Connecticut.
What the record shows for Connecticut
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 2 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 300 km of Connecticut - about one every 10 years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 15 tsunamis within 300 km of Connecticut between 1668 and 1964. The most significant was in 1931 near Atlantic City, Nj, which killed around 4 people.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
Check Connecticut hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk in Connecticut - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in Connecticut - FAQ
Is Connecticut at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 10 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 300 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Connecticut?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Connecticut in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Connecticut get tsunamis?
Yes - 15 tsunamis since 1668 (most recently 1964) within 300 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 4 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Connecticut?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.